RoadVitals

2011 Ford Expedition Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
71
Latest Jun 11, 2026
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
14
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
3

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2011 Ford Expedition, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

21
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Hard, delayed, jump from idle when accelerator is pressed. Hard shift from park to reverse.

NHTSA ID 11722361 · filed Mar 5, 2026

So my 2011 expedition has a lead frame problem it is stuck in 4th gear and all the warning lights are on associating the lead frame. The shop I left told me it Is the lead frame. The problem is the ford f150 with the exact same transmission as mine has a recall for that exact part. But no recall on the expiration with the exact same transmission as mine. This is a safety problem as it is stuck in fourth gear and completely unsafe to drive. This is a ford factory problem and needs to be addressed before it gets someone gravely injured of killed I talked with ford and they sY since there is no recall there is nothing they can do I've beennout a vehicle for 2 weeks already and now they say they have no clue when they can find the part. So I'm just out a vehicle that I payed thousands of dollars for. This is Unacceptable as I need the vehicle to get to work I don't know if this will help but I have to try something. There should be a recall on the expeditions as well

NHTSA ID 11587640 · filed May 8, 2024
All 21 reports naming powertrain (other)

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

13
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I bought this vehicle early 2023. From the moment I bought it I’ve had a loud ticking sound come from the dash or the motor when I start the car also when it’s really hot out. It also didn’t blow cold air. So I had to save up enough money to replace the AC components in my 2011 expedition. After I got it “repaired” It only lasted about six months and that’s being conservative. $2000 later and it’s blowing hot air and still making you loud ticking sound. I pretty much replaced all the components that deal with the AC and the blower. I don’t know what to do anymore, but it makes a loud ticking sound when I’m driving, when I start the car, anytime. And I also don’t have cold air anymore.

NHTSA ID 11703218 · filed Dec 5, 2025

The engine is blown at 125k miles when all servicing and maintenance was done at the dealership. Somewhere around 50k to 60k miles, I complained to the dealership about a ticking noise from the engine and was told multiple times it was "normal with this engine". Well this engine blew while I was on my way to take the kids to school. I was on the interstate/bypass and was by some miracle able to get the 7-11. I was driving and all of a sudden, it sounded like there was squirrel under the hood. I had to have it towed to the dealership because it was not driveable and they told me the engine was no longer good and was blown. They said it would cost me $10k and I would be better off buying a new vehicle. There was no engine light or anything that came on until it blew. The only "warning" I had was the slight ticking noise that came from the engine, but when mentioned to the dealership, I was told that it was normal with this engine.

NHTSA ID 11518155 · filed Apr 20, 2023
All 13 reports naming engine

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

10
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

DRIVERS RETRACTABLE RUNNING BOARD MALFUNCTIONS GOING UP AND EXTENDING. THE RUNNING BOARD HAS STOPPED MIDWAY DURING EXTENSION AND HAVE CAUSED OCCUPANTS TO FALL DUE TO THE RUNNING BOARD SUDDENLY COLLAPSING TO NORMAL HEIGHT WITH WEIGHT OF THE OCCUPANT ON THE RUNNING BOARD. RETRACTION OF THE RUNNING BOARDS IS ROUGH AND MAY TAKE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO RETRACT. THE VEHICLE IS WELL MAINTAINED BY THE DEALERSHIP. THERE ARE NO LUBRICATION POINTS TO ENABLE MAINTENANCE OF THE RUNNING BOARDS. AT THIS TIME THE RUNNING BOARDS ARE TURNED OFF AND ARE IN THE RETRACTED POSITION. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY ON A STREET OR PARKING LOT AND THE DRIVER AND LEFT PASSENGER DOORS ARE OPENED/CLOSED FOR ENTERING OR EXITING THE VEHICLE. THIS ONLY HAPPENS TO DRIVER SIDE RUNNING BOARD. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ON-GOING FOR THE PAST YEAR. THE DEALERSHIP HAS USED A SPRAY LUBRICANT ON THE HINGES OF THE RUNNING BOARD BUT IT IS A SHORT TERM FIX FOR A LONG TERM ISSUE. THERE HAS BEEN NO DAMAGE TO THE RUNNING BOARDS, NO ADJUSTMENT TO THE RUNNING BOARD MOTOR OR MECHANISM. THE RUNNING BOARD MOTOR APPEARS TO OVER OR UNDER TRAVEL AND DOES NOT MOVE THE RUNNING BOARD TO THE CORRECT LOCATION IN THE MOVEMENT CYCLE. *TR

NHTSA ID 11328022 · filed Jun 9, 2020

WINTER 2019, PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT STAY CLOSED. APPEARS TO ONLY HAPPEN WHEN TEMPERATURES ARE BELOW FREEZING. STARTED TO HAPPEN ON DRIVERS SIDE A DAY LATER. I'VE NOTICED WATER INSIDE ON THE SILL PLATE OF THE VEHICLE AFTER IT RAINS. I SUSPECT WATER IS MAKING IT'S WAY INTO THE DOOR. THE ISSUE HAS RETURNED. TRIED TO GET WARRANTY REPAIRS FROM ORIGINAL DEALERSHIP BUT HAS GONE UNANSWERED. APPEARS THIS IS A KNOW ISSUE AND REPAIRS ARE COVERED BY AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. WHICH I DID NOT GET. WORKING WITH BBB AND FORD CORPORATE ON THAT ISSUE. THE PASSENGER DOOR WAS NOT FIXED EITHER.

NHTSA ID 11288162 · filed Dec 10, 2019
All 10 reports naming body & structure

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

10
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that the locking assembly on the driver’s side door was frozen and failed to operate as designed. Due to the issue, the contact was unable to enter the vehicle without using a hair dryer to warm up the lock. However, once the door was opened, the door was unable to close until the lock was heated up again. No warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer and was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.

NHTSA ID 11566568 · filed Jan 19, 2024

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FOB FAILED TO UNLOCK THE DOORS INTERMITTENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY PAD LOCATED ON THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO OPERATE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO ACCESS THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOCK MOTOR ON ALL THE DOORS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,977.

NHTSA ID 10904721 · filed Sep 8, 2016
All 10 reports naming interior & seats

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT-OFF AND WENT INTO LIMP MODE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CONTINUED DRIVING TO HIS DESTINATION. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY POSITIONING SENSOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FAILURE RECURRED WHILE ACCELERATING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME MECHANIC BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 179,000.

NHTSA ID 11364062 · filed Oct 13, 2020

I WAS DRIVING 70MPH ON HWY 290 WHEN MY CAR SUDDENLY DOWNSHIFTED TO FIRST GEAR AND THEN THE WHEELS TOTALLY LOCKED UP. THIS CAUSED ME TO START SLIDING SIDEWAYS DOWN THE ROAD UNTIL I CAME TO A STOP. IT TURNED OUT THAT A COMPUTER MODULE REGULATING SHIFTING HAD GONE BAD. THIS ALSO CAUSED MY TRANSMISSION TO GO OUT AND NEED REPLACING.

NHTSA ID 11128038 · filed Sep 7, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2011 Ford Expedition. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 136,000, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 336,000. The contact called the seller, who advised that the sale was final and to end communications. An Attorney General and private attorney were contacted.

NHTSA ID 11743503 · filed Jun 11, 2026

The contact owns a 2011 FORD Expedition. The contact stated that while driving, there was a burning odor coming from the vehicle. The contact stated at the time she did not see any smoke coming from her vehicle, so she assumed it was the outside. The contact stated that once she parked her vehicle, she sat inside the vehicle for approximately one hour before she exited the vehicle. The contact stated that when she came back to her vehicle, it was filled with smoke. The contact stated that the wires from the rear, middle row, passengers seat, on the driver's side of the vehicle had been burning. The contact stated that it did not cause a fire, however, it did melt the foam inside the seat. The contact stated the wires inside the seat were also melted. The dealer nor the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 177,000

NHTSA ID 11453503 · filed Feb 22, 2022

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND IT READS CHECK FUEL FILL INLET? IF I CAN FIND SOMEONE TO TURN IT OFF THEY WILL CLEAR IT BUT WITHIN A WEEK IT IS BACK ON. *TR

NHTSA ID 11329137 · filed Jun 16, 2020

VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AT HIGH-SPEED AND CUTS OFF OR DOWN SHIFTS WITHOUT WARNING. SITTING AT IDLE ENGINE CUTS OFF

NHTSA ID 10910789 · filed Sep 30, 2016

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front blower system was seized. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed HVAC blower motor. The contact was informed that the HVAC blower motor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed of Technical Service Bulletin: 10163573; however, the contact was informed that the vehicle repair was not covered under the bulletin. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 153,000.

NHTSA ID 11617690 · filed Oct 2, 2024

REAR WINDOW BLEW OUT. MY FAMILY AND I WERE DRIVING HOME FROM A ROAD TRIP AND HAD PULLED INTO OUR HOME. EVERYBODY GOT OUT AND WE SAYING STANDING BY THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. WE HEARD A BANG FROM THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. I WALKED TO THE BACK TO SEE THE BACK WINDOW COMPLETELY SHATTERED. I DID NOT NOTICE ANY STRIKE MARKS BECAUSE THE WINDOW WAS STILL INTACT AND ON THE VEHICLE. I WENT TO UNLATCH IT AND THE WHOLE THING FELL OF THE VEHICLE. THE GLASS WAS INSIDE THE VEHICLE, ON TOP OF THE VEHICLE, AND ALL OVER THE FLOOR.

NHTSA ID 10862735 · filed May 3, 2016

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

While getting tires replaced (Discount Tire), the representative pointed out that the aluminum-shelled lug nuts had swollen and become so deformed that the correctly sized socket could not be used. FUrthermore they could not be accurately torqued. The lug nuts had to be replaced, which cost $175.

NHTSA ID 11459499 · filed Apr 4, 2022

2 piece lug nuts swelled creating a dangerous situation where the lugs were extremely difficult to remove. If the vehicle experienced a flat tire, they would be difficult if not impossible to remove on the road.

NHTSA ID 11456962 · filed Mar 16, 2022

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

VEHICLE NEVER BEFORE IN COLLISION. FRONT BUMPER FULLY CONTACTED WITH SMALLER SUV, SUSTAINING SIGNIFICANT FRONT-END DAMAGE. ONLY PASSENGER FRONT AIRBAG DEPLOYED, DESPITE THERE BEING NO PASSENGER IN SEAT (POCKETBOOK WEIGHING ONLY FEW POUNDS ON THE SEAT, CERTAINLY NOT ENOUGH TO TRIGGER OCCUPANCY SENSORS). MY QUESTION IS TWO-FOLD: WHY DID AIRBAG DEPLOY IN EMPTY PASSENGER SEAT? AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, WHY DID IT NOT DEPLOY IN OCCUPIED DRIVER SEAT? IS THERE EVER A NON-OFFSET FRONT-END COLLISION WHERE FORCE OF IMPACT REQUIRES ONLY ONE OF TWO AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY? *TR

NHTSA ID 10436690 · filed Nov 21, 2011

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

JUN OF 2016 BRAKES STARTED GOING ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE GARAGE WHEN ENGINE WAS FIRST STARTED. VEHICLE WOULD ROLL DOWN DRIVEWAY AND BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP IT UNTIL PUMPED. TOOK VEHICLE TO FORD AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE. THEY FINALLY REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE PROBLEM STOPPED FOR 10 MONTHS. NOW THE PROBLEM IS BACK AND THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE AGAIN. HAS HAPPENED TWICE THIS TIME BACKING OUT OF GARAGE (LESS THAN 5 MPH). CAR HAS HAD A FULL BRAKE JOB, NO LEAKS, AND HAS 74K MILES.

NHTSA ID 10985069 · filed May 12, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

LLOSS OF STEERING CONTROL WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY

NHTSA ID 11349168 · filed Aug 14, 2020

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE ON AN INCLINE, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND THE FRONT WHEELS FAILED TO TURN. THE 4X4 SYSTEM ALSO INDEPENDENTLY ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DISCOVERED THAT THE 4X4 MOTOR AND SOLENOID FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

NHTSA ID 10679883 · filed Jan 30, 2015

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

NO REVERSE LIGHTS, NO BACK UP LIGHTS, NO POWER TO THE REVERSE LIGHT BULBS.

NHTSA ID 11415069 · filed May 4, 2021

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .